As with any major abdominal surgery there are potential risks. These risks can be further complicated in operations on severely obese patients. It is important that you consider these potential risks, and discuss them with Dr. Afram and your own physician, when deciding whether to have surgery. Potential surgical risks include possible respiratory problems, infections, bleeding, bowel obstruction, leakage of the bowel connections, and obstruction of the stomach outlet. After performing over 3000 gastric bypass operations, Dr. Afram and his team have developed successful strategies for minimizing any potential risks.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF THE SURGERY

Due to the physical changes caused by the gastric bypass surgery, there are potential side effects that result from the surgery and your new way of eating. Due to restricted eating, there is a potential for deficiencies in protein, as well as certain vitamins and minerals. Use of an over-the-counter multivitamin, fortified with iron and calcium, and other nutritional supplements, determined on an individual basis, can help mitigate this risk.

Some patients experience nausea, food intolerance, changed bowel habits, transient hair loss, and loss of muscle mass. It is important to note that not all patients experience these side effects and these side effects are usually transitory. If you experience any of these post-operative side effects, Dr. Afram and the nutritionist are available for immediate consultation.

Gall bladder disease is a potential side effect due to the rapid weight loss most patients experience after the surgery. To minimize this risk Dr. Afram may prescribe medication, taken regularly for several months after surgery.

A word about pregnancy.

Infertility can be a significant co-morbidity for severely obese women. Many obese women experience irregular or non-existent menstrual cycles. Surgery for obesity often corrects these problems. Due to the increased nutritional needs of pregnancy, we recommend that patients not get pregnant for at least one to two years after surgery, when the initial rapid weight loss subsides. Patients should discuss birth control methods with their primary care physician or obstetrician/gynecologist. After the initial year, pregnancy is safe and many patients, who had suffered from infertility prior to surgery, have delivered healthy babies.

RESULTS

Most of our patients are very satisfied with the results of their operation. Overwhelmingly, patients have found that they lose 50 to 90 percent of their excess weight, and maintain that weight loss long-term.

Maximum effectiveness depends on the level of patient participation in the behavioral modification and nutritional programs, as well as an increase in physical activities and exercise on a regular basis. Other factors, such as age, sex, and initial weight at the time of surgery should also be considered. Weight loss surgery is not a magic bullet. It is, however, a powerful tool that has successfully helped many people achieve and maintain permanent weight loss. Your active participation in, and commitment to, the life style changes, exercise, and eating habits that weight loss surgery requires is a necessary component to your ultimate success.

Most medical diseases are improved or cured. Obesity related diseases are improved dramatically.